Downtown Update from Jason - August 19, 2019

Mayor David Alvey speaks at the Downtown Grocery Store Groundbreaking, August 15, 2019

Usually, I use this space to look forward to exciting things that are about to happen in Downtown KCK. This month, however, I want to look back on something that happened last week – the groundbreaking ceremony for the Downtown Grocery store (which will be at 5th and Minnesota).

If you’ve been even a little aware around here, you would know that getting a grocery store Downtown and in the Northeast has been priority #1 for years for our residents and community. There have been struggles aplenty and no shortage of setbacks, but last week’s groundbreaking is a demonstration of the power of a strong, unified community voice. We kept demanding a grocery store, we would not stop asking for it, and eventually we got what we needed. It’s inspiring (if frustrating) to think on how much power our community can wield when it comes together to speak as one.

We find that voice (and eventually that power) by coming together to talk, to find out what we all need and want and wish to see improved. That’s why I am happy to have the chance to restart our weekly coffee. We’ve moved it to Wednesday at 8 am, and it’s moved to Chips and Coins on Minnesota, but think of that time as an opportunity to put your voices together, and see what we can do next.